Palos Forest Preserves
Illinois · Midwest
Moderate
April-June
Free
Dawn to dusk daily
About This Location
The Palos Forest Preserves encompass over 14,000 acres in southwestern Cook County, making them the largest contiguous forest preserve complex in the Chicago region. The rolling terrain — unusual for the flat Chicago area — supports mature oak-hickory forest, prairie remnants, sloughs, and wetlands that host exceptional bird diversity.
The preserves are home to breeding species rare in the Chicago area, including Pileated Woodpecker, Barred Owl, and Red-shouldered Hawk. Spring migration brings warblers, thrushes, and flycatchers to the extensive forest, and the combination of water features and wooded uplands creates habitat diversity that supports over 250 recorded species. Key birding areas include Maple Lake, the Sag Valley, and the trails around Teason's Woods.
Location
Loading map...
Notable Species
Live Bird Data
Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Notable Sightings
Rare or unusual species spotted nearby in the last 14 days
Chimney Swift
Chaetura pelagica
Indigo Bunting
Passerina cyanea
Yellow-crowned Night Heron
Nyctanassa violacea
American Avocet
Recurvirostra americana
Northern Mockingbird
Mimus polyglottos
Recent Observations
Species reported at this location in the last 14 days
Wood Duck
Mallard
Belted Kingfisher
Pileated Woodpecker
Eastern Phoebe
Blue Jay
Black-capped Chickadee
Ruby-crowned Kinglet
American Robin
Brown-headed Cowbird
Blue-winged Teal
Northern Shoveler
Rock Pigeon
Virginia Rail
Sora
American Coot
Sandhill Crane
Caspian Tern
Double-crested Cormorant
Great Blue Heron
Birding Tips
- 1
Maple Lake and the slough trails are the most productive areas for spring migrants
- 2
Listen for Barred Owls calling at dawn — they breed in the old-growth sections
- 3
The preserves are large enough for a full day of birding with minimal overlap between areas
- 4
Visit during spring migration (April-May) for the greatest species diversity
- 5
Arrive at dawn for peak bird activity, especially during migration seasons
Amenities
Nearby Attractions
- Sagawau Environmental Learning Center
- Little Red Schoolhouse Nature Center
More in Illinois
Montrose Point Bird Sanctuary
Chicago's top birding spot where the Magic Hedge traps migrating songbirds.
Jackson Park / Wooded Island
Chicago South Side migrant trap on a historic Wooded Island with 250+ species and outstanding warbler fallouts.
Illinois Beach State Park
Illinois' last natural Lake Michigan shore with 300+ species, shorebird migration, and grassland birds.
Illinois Birding Guide
Complete guide to birding in Illinois →